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Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
by Judy Ellis, Wire-Sculpture.com
Wire Jewelry Tip for July 2, 2014
Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
Today we will take another look at a question from one of our readers. I’m sure some of you have had the same question.
Question:
Now that we are coming up on festival season, I’m looking for a few quick and beautiful projects that I can “make as you wait” in a short amount of time for the customers. Any patterns you can point out would be very appreciated.
-Juanita in South Orange, New Jersey
Answer:
Your idea of making “on-demand” customized pieces as the customer watches and waits, is a great way to attract additional attention to you and your booth!
To offer some attractive and quick ideas, I would first direct you to our Free Jewelry Making Patterns index. Albina’s Spring Flower earrings can be prepared at home by making some long coils of wire and then ask the customer how many petals they would like on their flower. Mary Bailey’s All-Inclusive Earrings pattern is another make-it-now design, where you could have a couple of sample pairs on display surrounded by beautiful beads a customer could choose from. You could also make matching pendants by using my Quick Bead & Wire Pendant instructions.
Left-to-right: Albina’s Spring Flower Earrings, Mary Bailey’s All-Inclusive Earrings, and Dale Armstrong’s Quick Bead & Wire Pendant
Summertime is the best season to make and market anklets!
Easy Agate Anklet by Dale Armstrong
To generate custom sales “on-the-spot,” have 3 or more samples made-up and on display (using materials you have quite a bit of on hand) and place a bowl of beads nearby, for customers to choose from.
Light-weight and fun to wear (as well as affordable to make) are my Bent Wire Earrings, shown in our Wire Jewelry Ideas section, and most folks find that they can easily wrap a puffed heart, sharks tooth or an arrowhead in less than 10 minutes by using the Anything Harness design (click here for some examples).
Personally, my Puffed Gemstone Heart pendants in sterling silver sell for $15 to $18, and I include a simple silk neck cord for instant gratification.
A lot of folks who are experienced in ring-making like to make simple 1 to 3 bead rings on-demand at shows, and still others can wrap a rock within a few minutes, too! It’s your choice Juanita, I hope I have given you some ideas that will help your spring/summer show season become a success!
For further reading about getting ready for show season, I recommend my article Wire Jewelry Display & Booth Ideas.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
Happy Wrapping!
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Kathy Cooper
July 2, 2014 at 12:23 pm
This article came just at the right time for me. I needed some simple and fast items I could make during “free time” at shows. People are naturally curious and will stop and look at what you are doing. I may even use these “make and take” items when I teach jewelry making. Thank you !!